<html><head></head><body>Dear colleagues,<div><br></div><div>As Hisham noted in his earlier mail, the RIPE NCC last night decided to put the RIPE list into moderation, following a mail containing highly offensive racist language. I fully support this decision.</div><div><br></div><div>The RIPE Community is open and inclusive, and I am sad that we have to take such a serious step. Over time, the community demonstrated its ability to self-govern and ensure appropriate tone and behaviour in discussions. However, in this situation, given the gravity of the violation of the RIPE Code of Conduct, I feel that temporary moderation of the list is necessary in order to protect our community. </div><div><br></div>We will watch the situation closely over the next days to determine any further steps. In the meantime, I would like to encourage you all to continue to engage, and to do so in the manner and spirit that I know reflects RIPE.<div><br></div><div>I would like to sincerely thank Hisham and his colleagues at the RIPE NCC who took immediate action and who did not hesitate to sacrifice their weekend.</div><div><br></div>Kind regards,<div>Mirjam Kühne</div><div>RIPE Chair<caret></caret></div></body></html>